Coming Back to Milan: A Night with Kygo

There’s something surreal about returning to a city you once called home, even if that home was temporary. After two months in Cyprus, stepping back onto Milan’s streets felt both familiar and different. Everything was recognizable, yet somehow changed.

We chose to stay in Isola this time, away from our old neighborhood. Milan was decking itself out for Christmas, the ice rink in Piazza Lombardia already filled with wobbly skaters, and the streets starting to sparkle with those first holiday decorations. It felt like discovering the city all over again, but with the comfort of knowing its rhythms, its secrets.

That first morning back hit differently. Waking up in a new hotel room, the sounds were unfamiliar – no ambulances that used to wake us in our old neighborhood. For the first time in a long time, we could sleep in and truly appreciate a comfortable bed, especially since we’re still living in the temporary apartment in Cyprus.

The first few days were a beautiful blur of revisiting our favorite spots. Dinner at Assaje felt like a homecoming. Michael’s familiar smile hadn’t changed. He knew exactly what we wanted, as we ordered the same thing as always – 2 zucchini flowers and 2x DOP with burrata. He was so happy to see us, the first two Aperol spritz were on the house. The small talk (in our broken Italian) felt like we’d never left.

We stumbled into Princi for the aperitivo, and what shocked us was just how delicious it was. We always loved the pastries and bakery, though at aperitivo time, it was perfect.

But we weren’t just here for nostalgia – we’d flown back specifically for Kygo’s concert at UNIPOL Forum. Tickets went on sale in March. We didn’t know then that we’d be living elsewhere, but coming back was a no-brainer. I have four favorite artists that rotate in my playlists – P!NK, Kygo, One Republic, and Sia. We’ve seen One Republic in 2022 in Warsaw, and P!NK in Copenhagen in July. Kygo was now the last part of the trifecta, touring for the first time in years.

The concert itself was magical, unforgettable, and simply the best (though the second best after P!NK in Copenhagen in July). The music just moved you – we spent the entire concert standing and singing along to all our favorite songs. The surprise when Kygo brought out Jesse Jesso, The cowboy from Stole the Show, Zak Abel, and one more collaborator was huge. The music, the vibes, the feelings, everyone (mostly millennials lol) singing along, having such a wonderful time, it was just another experience. The hours flew by and it could have lasted longer and longer, and we’d still have loved it.

Then came “Freeze” – a song I hadn’t known before but one that’s now permanently etched into my memory. The live orchestra, the beat of the drummers, the lights creating this otherworldly atmosphere… it was moving, and Freeze has become one of the top songs ever since.

Exhausted but incredibly happy, we hopped into the metro to make our way back to the hotel. We got there about an hour later, and the most surreal thing happened when we entered the lobby just to be met by Jesse Jesso himself. At first, we were unsure if what we were seeing was really there, though quickly we recognized that he was wearing the same shoes from the concert and it was really him. While waiting for the elevator, I did a double take (as we didn’t want to bother him for a picture because he was on the phone), and that moment we had eye contact. He knew we recognized him, and we knew it was him. He nodded and smiled in an acknowledging (and thankful for the privacy) way as we got ready to get into the elevator, just to see James Parson (the cowboy) leaving, as they evidently headed for dinner or an aftershow.

Friends who’ve seen us since moving away say we look not only happier but also healthier. I’m inclined to agree – sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what we need.

As I write this on Saturday the 30th (yes, I’m a bit behind schedule this week), I’m still carrying the energy of that night. In a few days, Natalia will defend her master’s thesis, adding another chapter to our Milan story.

Love from Milan,
Julian